1,5-substituted 1H-imidazoles

Abstract

Novel herbicidal 1,5-substituted 1H-imidazole derivatives, compositions containing these compounds as active ingredients, and a method for controlling weeds, preferably selectively in crops of useful plants. Further the invention also relates to a process for making these novel compounds.

We claim: 
     
       1. A compound of the formula: ##STR40## or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, or a salt thereof, wherein: R 1  represents hydrogen or mercapto; L represents:   (ix) --C(═G)--R wherein G represents O or NR 5  wherein R 5  represents hydrogen, C 1-5  alkyl, or hydroxy, and R represents hydrogen, C 1-7  alkyl, or fluoroC 1-5  alkyl; or   (xi) --CH(R 3 )--Z 1  --R 4  wherein R 3  represents hydrogen, C 1-5  alkyl, or fluoroC 1-5  alkyl, R 4  represents hydrogen or C 1-5  alkyl, Z 1  represents O, S, or NR 4 , and R 4  represents hydrogen or C 1-5  alkyl, and   X represents:   (o) a Group of the Formula: ##STR41##  wherein Y represents --CH 2  --O-- or --CH 2  --S--, n represents zero or one, R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9  independently represent hydrogen or C 1-5  alkyl, and R 10  and R 11  independently represent hydrogen or halo;   (p) a group of the Formula: ##STR42##  wherein A represents C 1-7  alkyl, phenyl, or pyridinyl, said phenyl and pyridinyl being optionally substituted with C 1-5  alkyl, methoxy, or halo, and B represents pyridinyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with C 1-5  alkyl, methoxy, or halo; or   (q) a group of the Formula: ##STR43##  wherein D represents CH 2 , O, or S, p represents 0 or 1, R 13 , R 14 , and R 15  represent hydrogen or C 1-5  alkyl, E represents C 3-4  alkanediyl, and R 16  and R 17  represent hydrogen or C 1-5  alkyl.   
     
     
       2. A compound as described in claim 1 wherein R 1  represents hydrogen. 
     
     
       3. A compound as described in claim 1 wherein said compound is 1-(diphenylmethyl)-α-methyl-1H-imidazole-5-methanol. 
     
     
       4. A herbicidal composition comprising one or more inert carriers and a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) as described in claim 1. 
     
     
       5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein R 1  represents hydrogen. 
     
     
       6. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the active ingredient is 1-(diphenylmethyl)-alpha-methyl-1H-imidazole-5-methanol. 
     
     
       7. A method of controlling weeds by applying thereto or to the locus thereof of a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) as described in claim 1. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 7 wherein R 1  represents hydrogen. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the compound is 1-(diphenylmethyl)-alpha-methyl-1H-imidazole-5-methanol. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 7 for selectively controlling weeds in crops of useful plants. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the crop is rice, maize, or cereals. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the crop is rice and the rice is transplanted rice. 
     
     
       13. A method according to claim 12 wherein 0.01 to 5.0 kg of active ingredient per hectare are applied to areas where rice crops are grown. 
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 13 wherein 0.5 to 1 kg of the active ingredient is applied per hectare after transplanting the rice plantlets.